ROXAS City — Fishes in the river in Brgy. Dulangan, Pilar town died due to lack of oxygen, an official of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Capiz said.

Contamination — the river allegedly contained toxins — reduces oxygen levels in a water body, according to Audie Belargo, senior agriculturist of the DA-Capiz.

An analysis was recently conducted on the water sample taken from the river in the village where the fish kill allegedly occurred.

The test revealed the presence of toxin in the river water, causing the death of even the smallest of the fishes there, Belargo said.

These toxins allegedly came from the garbage being dumped by the Capiz Sugar Central into the river.

Dulangan Barangay Captain Robinson Benigla earlier said the molasses allegedly being dumped by the sugar central may have contaminated the river, adding that the river water already smelled of molasses.

But the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA), in an earlier statement, expressed doubt that the fish kill was caused by the contamination of the river with molasses.

The low salinity of the river may have killed the fishes, Flora Mae Calmorin of the OPA earlier said.

Calmorin said the province’s Aqua Laboratory cannot examine and determine the water’s salinity as it is only intended to examine red tide.

She even earlier asked the villagers to bring the sample of the river water to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center in Tigbauan, Iloilo to be examined.

Belargo, on the other hand, recommended an examination by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, being the most authorized agency to address the issue.

The barangay residents already brought up the problem to the village officials.

Merlinda Almorin, a resident of Sitio Cantel, in an earlier interview said most village residents already fear having no more sources of food and livelihood.

Folks from the barangay’s four sitios — Lahab, Bato-bato, Siha and Cantel — have fishing as their source of living./PN

City seeks waste landfill

ROXAS City — This city government is currently looking for a lot that it can use as a sanitary landfill.

This was after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared the dumpsite in Brgy. Sibaguan here “illegal.”

The dumpsite, an open pit, is violating environmental laws; it also poses danger to local residents, according to Mayor Angel Alan Celino.

Celino instructed City Engineer Ardelie Ambrosio to look for the lot.

In another story, policemen are currently hunting a 25-year-old man for stabbing and hacking dead a 40-year-old laborer.

Police said Marvin Sion of Brgy. Daplas, Dao town stabbed and hacked Rene Estorninos of Bgry. Nasunugan of the same town on Sunday using a bolo and a knife.

The victim succumbed to several stab and hack wounds in the different parts of his body. He was later brought to the Dao District Hospital.

A misunderstanding between the suspect and victim triggered the incident, the police said. (Felipe Celino/PN

With K+12, parents worry about financial burden

ROXAS City — Parents in the province understand that additional two years in school are aimed at providing quality education. But they are also concerned about the additional financial burden on their part.

These concerns surfaced during the forum on K+12 Basic Education Program here recently.

More than 300 Capiceños from different sectors attended the consultative assembly that aimed to discuss issues surrounding the K+12.

Parents pointed out that they understand the purpose of the program, especially in providing quality education to students, said the Capiz Schools Division information officer, Vincent Altamia.

But he said they were also looking into the adverse effect of the program, knowing that additional years to education mean additional expenses.

The participants cited the “hidden” fees like school projects and other contributions, transportation and other allowances.

Altamia said the student’s concerns were focused on the lack of text books, classrooms, chairs and other school facilities.

“They were also asking whether they can really be accommodated for employment as professionals after completing senior high school,” he said.

Also the roles of local government officials in implementing the K¬¬+12 program were presented during the forum.

There were also suggestions for the review of the teaching force for quality education to ensure quality graduates and high employment rate.

Among those present during the assembly were Gov. Victor Tanco, Jamindan Mayor Ethel Jinon and Tapaz Rosemarie Gardose, Sangguniang Bayan members from the 16 towns, Supreme Pupil Government presidents, high school leaders, elementary and secondary teachers, barangay officials, district supervisors and education program supervisors, and parents-teachers’ association officials from the different towns.

Earlier, Schools Division Superintendent Eveleth Gamboa stressed the need to present the program to the public as well as hold a series of focused group discussions in the soonest possible time.

Gamboa is positive that through this enhanced education program, the government can create a functional basic education system that will produce productive and responsible citizens. (Jemin B. Guillermo/PIA/PN)

Roxas City bats for healthy lifestyle

ROXAS City — This city currently aims to preserve the quality of life of its people and comply with the 88-point criteria of the Department of Health’s (DOH) Red Orchid Awards.

The city still needs six more points to comply with the criteria and win in the awards, according to the city press bureau chief, Ma. Elena Deocampo.

Red Orchid Awards is conferred by the DOH to tobacco-free offices and establishments, Deocampo explained.

In relation, Mayor Angel Alan Celino recently called for the strict enforcement of the Non-Smoking Ordinance.

The mayor expressed concern not only on smokers but also on second- and third-hand (passive) smokers like innocent children, she said.

In 2004, the City Council here passed the ordinance that is guided upon by Republic Act 9211, otherwise known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.

The enforcement of the said city ordinance requires the political will of the local chief executive, Deocampo said.

These diseases could not only hamper the quality of life but could likewise drain the family’s finances, she added. (Jemin B. Guillermo/PIA/PN

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